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Dear Colleagues,

I wish to share with you the latest issue of UNCTAD's Investment Policy 
Monitor.
 
Twenty two countries took 32 investment policy measures in the review 
period (November 2017 - February 2018). The share of investment 
restrictions and regulations increased to 29 percent. 
Compared to the annual figures in recent years, this records the highest 
ratio since 2010.
 
Newly adopted restrictive investment policies include a tightening of 
investment screening procedures, measures to protect national security and 
the disapproval of some foreign takeovers. 
Other restrictions relate to local content requirements and preferences 
for local suppliers in public procurement procedures.
 
At the same time, some countries improved entry conditions for foreign 
investment. Among the most noteworthy measures are liberalization steps in 
a couple of industries, the simplification of administrative procedures 
and new privatization. 
The reporting period also saw a significant corporate tax reform in one 
country.
 
Regarding international investment treaties, the Monitor finds that two 
bilateral investment treaties and six treaties with investment provisions 
were signed, bringing the total number of international investment 
agreements (IIAs) to over 3320.
 
In line with UNCTAD's Roadmap for IIA Reform, all new IIAs contain several 
reform features, giving particular attention to the preservation of the 
right to regulate by clarifying key protection standards and refining 
investor-State dispute provisions. 
Countries are also starting to move towards the second phase of IIA 
reform, modernizing the existing stock of old-generation treaties.
 
Several negotiations for mega-regional agreements continue. Depending on 
how future mega-regional treaties will interact with overlapping 
pre-existing ones, this can help modernize today's stock of old-generation 
treaties.


James X. Zhan
Director, Investment and Enterprise
Lead, World Investment Report

http://worldinvestmentreport.unctad.org
http://worldinvestmentforum.unctad.org
http://investmentpolicyhub.unctad.org

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